CHAMBER NEWS

Keep an eye on your email and our social media tomorrow (Tuesday, July 9) as we announce this year's Business After Hours Expo theme and registration opening!

As an expanded version of the Chamber’s popular Business After Hours networking event, the Business After Hours Expo (formerly Member Trade Show) provides a unique platform for members to promote their products and services while connecting with the community and fellow Chamber members in a fun atmosphere. 

Join us for July's Lunch & Learn, sponsored by Ohio Valley Bank, to understand the new overtime rules announced by the U.S. Department of Labor. On April 23, 2024, the DOL released a final rule that significantly raises the salary threshold for overtime exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Learn about the phased implementation, starting with the first increase on July 1, 2024, to $43,888 annually, and a second increase on January 1, 2025, to $58,656 annually. Discover how these changes affect your business and employees, and what steps you need to take to comply with the new regulations. Don't miss this crucial update to stay ahead and ensure compliance.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Huntington Young Professionals' July Meeting will be at Heritage Farm with featured speaker, Audy M. Perry, Jr., Executive Director of the Heritage Farm Foundation which operates West Virginia’s first Smithsonian Affiliate, the Heritage Farm Museum & Village in Huntington. Established by his parents, A. Michael and Henriella Perry, the award-winning Heritage Farm strives to share Appalachia’s proud, rugged past in ways that inspire an emboldened, vibrant future. Audy co-authored a book with his late father based on life at the Farm, titled “Faith, Family, Friends & Farm (Stories of and from Heritage Farm Museum & Village).”

Prior to his current role at Heritage Farm, Audy practiced law for over 18 years advising clients on matters involving estate planning, trust, charitable giving, business succession planning, project financing and real estate. He is now Of Counsel with the Dinsmore Law Firm.

The Charleston Regional, Huntington Regional, and Putnam County Chambers of Commerce are excited to announce the second annual State of the Valley Presented by Meek’s Rentals & Leasing will be held on Wednesday, August 21. This event is designed to foster regional collaboration and showcase the progress of our vibrant communities.

This year’s State of the Valley event will highlight tourism in the Kanawha Valley, with insights into Cabell, Kanawha, and Putnam counties. Confirmed panelists are Chelsea Ruby, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Tourism; Tim Brady, President & CEO of the Charleston CVB; Tyson Compton, President of the Huntington Area CVB; and Kelli Steele, Executive Director of the Putnam County CVB. These industry leaders will provide a deep dive into the latest developments, innovative initiatives, and future plans that are set to boost tourism and attract visitors to our beautiful region. The event moderator will be Chef Paul Smith, West Virginia’s first winner of the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southeast.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with top tourism professionals and decision makers, discover exciting new projects and strategies for regional growth, network with business and community leaders, and be part of the conversation driving our state’s tourism forward.

The event will begin at 11:30 am at the Valley Park Conference Center in Hurricane. We invite business leaders, community advocates, and all individuals invested in the region’s future to join us at the event. Tickets are $50 if purchased using the early-bird discount before August 1 and are available at www.putnamchamber.org/StateoftheValley.

Current sponsors include Meeks Rentals & Leasing and Advantage Valley.

For more information about the State of the Valley event, including registration details and sponsorship opportunities, please visit one of the Chamber websites or contact the Charleston Regional Chamber at (304) 340-4253, Huntington Regional Chamber at (304) 525-5131, or the Putnam County Chamber at (304) 757-6510.

MEMBER NEWS

The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) has added two classes to the growing number of professional development courses it delivers through the Marshall Skills Exchange, the university’s new portal to provide on-demand access to in-demand training.

ISO 9001: 2015 Internal Auditor Training 

MAMC will offer ISO 9001: 2015 Internal Auditor Training Aug. 28-29 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day at its Huntington facility (1050 Fourth Ave).

Participants will learn how to prepare for and conduct ISO 9001: 2015 audits of a company’s quality management system. Through hands-on exercises, they will learn how to apply their knowledge to real-life auditing situations, as well as how to manage the audit process and complete the requisite reporting.

The class will be taught by Erica Cheetham, MAMC director of quality services, who has more than 30 years of experience in quality implementation and management, including extensive experience assisting companies with establishing and maintaining their particular quality management systems.

No experience is necessary to enroll in the course. The cost is $595 per person. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a course certificate and an ISO 9001: 2015 Internal Auditor certification.

Fundamentals of Communication

MAMC will offer a Fundamentals of Communication course Aug. 22 from 1-4 p.m. at its Huntington facility (1050 Fourth Ave).

Participants will explore challenges to effective communication: why it can be so difficult, problems that poor communication causes and why messages break down. The course also will cover specific techniques to overcome these challenges and communicate the way they intend: with clarity and purpose, and with the right person or group.

This hands-on course will allow individuals at all levels of an organization to experiment with different skills and applications to vastly improve their ability to become clear, effective communicators, from the corporate suite to the production line.

The cost is $199 per person for the course, which is open to employees of all types of businesses, students, educators and anyone interested in mastering the art of communication.

For more information about either course and to register, visit https://marshall.geniussis.com/Registration.aspx and search for “quality.” Questions should be directed to Cheetham at erica.cheetham@mfg.marshall.edu or 304-781-1687.

To browse the complete list of Marshall Skills Exchange courses, visit https://www.marshall.edu/microcredentials.

Edward Tucker Architects (ETA) is excited to announce significant leadership transitions within the firm.

Phoebe Patton Randolph has assumed the role of President, succeeding founding principal Edward Tucker who will continue as a Principal. This transition provides long-term sustainability and continues the firm’s growth as a design leader in West Virginia and the Tri-State region.

Edward Tucker established ETA in 1996 through the acquisition of the prominent Huntington firm Dean and Dean Architects, established in 1910 by Levi Johnson Dean. Under Ed’s leadership, ETA has become a cornerstone in the community, known for its innovative, award-winning designs, professionalism, and dedication to its clients.

Additionally, Amber Yost has been promoted to Principal of Interior Design. A graduate of West Virginia University, Amber coordinates interior design for nearly every project including furniture selection and specifications. Amber’s promotion underscores the firm’s commitment to seamlessly integrate architecture and interior design services, ensuring clients receive a comprehensive and finely detailed outcome.

Newsweek announced Peoples Bank as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for 2024. Peoples Bank was founded in 1902, with a culture committed to building meaningful and lasting relationships. This applies to client relationships, as well relationships with the communities where Peoples Bank employees live, work and play.

Each year, Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group recognizes America’s Greatest Workplaces in the United States, by conducting a large-scale employer study based on over 1.5 million comprehensive company reviews from over 250,000 employees. Peoples Bank has been awarded one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for 2024 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group. 

Three Marshall University graduates recently joined the First Ascent West Virginia program. First Ascent, a joint initiative between Marshall University and West Virginia University, is open to recent graduates interested in pursuing hybrid or remote work while staying close to home.

Katie Fields is a 2021 marketing graduate from nearby Coal Grove, Ohio, and is currently working as a product marketing manager for the Hip Eagle Boutique in Huntington. She is also studying to get her real estate license in West Virginia.

Jessica Stidham serves as the assistant director of innovation at the Brad and Alys Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative and is tasked with expanding the First Ascent program.

Recent graduate Ajia Toth, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology in December 2023, credits the First Ascent program for helping her transition seamlessly into her career.

Jasper Ball is involved in the First Ascent program and is a 2023 geography graduate and works for FIVCO Area Development District as a Water Management Coordinator and works as a realtor for eXp Realty.

Members of the First Ascent program choose to live, work and play in one of six West Virginia communities: the Eastern Panhandle, Greater Elkins, the Greenbrier Valley, the Huntington area, the Morgantown area or the New River Gorge.

For more information or to apply, visit firstascentwv.com.

Join Glow Aesthetically for an exciting event where you'll uncover the secrets to achieving radiant, healthy skin. Katie will guide you through a hands-on experience, teaching you the best practices for your skincare routine.

Discover the latest trends in skincare, learn about different skin types, and receive personalized recommendations tailored to your needs. Whether you're a skincare enthusiast or a beginner, this class is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their natural glow.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to pamper yourself and elevate your skincare game. Sign up now and get ready to glow from within! The price includes a goodie bag that includes some samples, two tools that are yours to keep, and helps pay for products used during class. all products will be available for purchase. If any need for order more, Katie will take your payment then and will reach out when your product has come in. There will be a discount for those who purchase three or more products. Also, each product purchased is an entry into the giveaway.

Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH), a member of Marshall Health Network, announced The Maternity Center has been designated as Birthing-Friendly by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This prestigious recognition underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing exceptional maternal care and fostering a safe, supportive environment for childbirth.

The Birthing-Friendly designation is awarded to hospitals that demonstrate excellence in delivering high-quality maternity care and adhere to the best practices in labor and delivery. CMS evaluates hospitals based on their performance in areas such as patient safety, quality improvement and the implementation of evidence-based practices.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Monday Morning Memo is Generously Sponsored by

Thank You to Our Trustee Members

Thank You to Our Investor Members

Please note that the deadline for submissions for "In the News" in the Monday Morning Memo is at 

4 p.m. each Wednesday for inclusion the following week. Submitted items will only appear one time in the memo unless discussed and agreed upon with Chamber staff.

Email all submissions to Rebecca Kasey, Director of Marketing, at rebecca@huntingtonchamber.org.

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